Amidst growing momentum, Gounardes highlights grassroots support and forward-thinking policies that will propel him to victory on September 13

Brooklyn, NY; Sept. 6, 2018 – Tonight, Democratic candidate for State Senate Andrew Gounardes demonstrated in a debate on NY1 how fierce of a fighter he will be for Southern Brooklyn.

Following the debate, Gounardes released the following statement:

“With an expansive grassroots campaign comprised of support from hundreds of community members, progressive organizations, small business owners, local unions, and elected officials, we have amassed the strongest coalition ever assembled to unseat Marty Golden.

For far too long, the voice of district 22 has been suppressed by Marty Golden and the Republican-held State Senate. Our community deserves a representative who works for them and who will bring honor and dignity back to Albany. I’m more confident than ever that the people of Southern Brooklyn see ours as the campaign that’s leading a movement of true change for our district.

My opponent and I have many differences, but we agree that Marty Golden’s time is up. Since this campaign began, only one of us has laid out a forward-thinking policy agenda, supported by the community, that address critical issues such as sexual harassment, immigration reform, anti corruption and education. I’m looking forward to the voters of District 22 having their voices heard one week from today and carrying that momentum into the General Election. I want to thank NY1 for hosting us and Errol Louis for moderating tonight’s debate.”

About Andrew Gounardes

Born and raised in Bay Ridge, it was in Southern Brooklyn where Andrew Gounardes started his work in public service. As an aide to former City Councilmember Vincent Gentile, he helped neighbors solve everyday quality of life problems. Currently, he serves as Counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and as a trustee of the New York City Employees' Retirement System, one of the largest municipal pension funds in the country. Before serving at Borough Hall, he worked for Citizens Committee for New York City, a non-profit that provides neighborhood improvement grants to community groups across the five boroughs. He also served on Community Board 10 and is a longtime member of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge.

After Superstorm Sandy, Andrew co-founded Bay Ridge Cares, an organization that prepared 25,000 hot meals for victims after the storm. Today, the organization still supports community members facing extraordinary need by providing them with emergency assistance. As a member of the Riders Alliance, he organized and formed the Concerned R Train Riders to fight for better service and demand handicapped accessible subway stations in South Brooklyn. He helped write and pass legislation to combat dangerous home conversions, and continues to work toward helping those who are displaced from unsafe living conditions.

His work with Bay Ridge Advocates for Keeping Everyone Safe (B.R.A.K.E.S.) successfully pressured Albany lawmakers to allow speed cameras in school zones. As an advocate for art and culture in our neighborhoods, he served as pro bono legal counsel for the Bay Ridge Storefront Art Walk (S.A.W.) and as past president of the Bay Ridge Historical Society.

Andrew graduated from Fort Hamilton High School before going on to earn degrees from Hunter College and the George Washington University Law School.

Andrew’s Endorsements

Andrew has been endorsed by NYSUT, the local chapters of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and United Automobile Workers, the District 1 chapter of Communications Workers of America, SEIU 32BJ, DC9 The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, The Working Families Party, Bay Ridge Democrats, Brooklyn Young Democrats, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Southern Brooklyn Democrats, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, Stonewall Democrats of NYC, Stars & Stripes Democratic Club, Congressman Jerry Nadler, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, City Council Members Justin Brannan, Brad Lander, Mark Treyger, Alan Maisel, and Lew Fidler, 41st AD State Committeewoman Lori Maslow, Assembly Members Peter Abbate, Jo Anne Simon, and Robert C. Carroll, Former Council Member Vincent Gentile, Chairperson of the Kings County Democrats Frank Seddio, and Run for Something. He has also been named a Gun Sense Candidate of Distinction by Moms Demand Action.

About District 22

District 22 comprises the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, and Gravesend, as well as portions of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park, and Midwood.